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Futbol

Use 'watch & listen' tab for Five Live final score, plus commentaries from all three matches Arsenal 0-0 Fulham - Saka returns on bench Wolves 0-0 West Ham - Cunha remains suspended Nottingham Forest v Man Utd (20:00 BST) - Wood misses out for hosts Get Involved: #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply) Match report to appear here.

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News_Naija

SEC Warns Influencers, Bloggers Against Promoting Unregistered Schemes

The Securities and Exchange Commission has warned influencers, bloggers, and celebrities to desist from promoting unregistered investment schemes or risk legal consequences. In a statement made available to our correspondent on Sunday, the warning follows the enactment of the Investments and Securities Act 2025, which was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu. The new law explicitly defines Ponzi schemes and empowers the Commission to impose a minimum fine of N20m and a jail term of 10 years on promoters of such schemes. Speaking on the new provisions, the SEC’s Director-General, Emomotimi Agama, said that the Commission is working closely with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Nigeria Police Force, and other law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute violators. “The law also targets influencers and bloggers who promote fraudulent schemes, with clear penalties including imprisonment. We are therefore using this medium to warn such persons to desist from promoting unregistered entities,” Agama said. He noted that the SEC is intensifying its crackdown on Ponzi operators following the collapse of CBEX, a digital investment platform accused of defrauding Nigerians of over N1.3tn. CBEX reportedly lured investors with promises of unrealistic returns and false claims of global affiliations. “We will shut down their operations and the promoters will be made to face the full weight of the law,” Agama stated. According to the SEC boss, the ISA 2025 also brings digital assets under the regulatory oversight of the commission for the first time. He said virtual assets are now officially recognised as securities, and as such, Virtual Asset Service Providers and Digital Asset Exchanges are mandated to register with the SEC and comply with relevant rules. Agama emphasised that education remains a key part of the SEC’s strategy to protect Nigerian investors. “We have launched a podcast where we educate and enlighten Nigerians on the dangers of investing in unregistered schemes,” he said, adding that the commission is also pushing capital market education into schools and universities. The commission advised the public to always verify the registration status of any investment scheme with the SEC before parting with their funds. “Once it is too good to be true, it certainly is not true,” he warned. He also revealed that the SEC has established specialised departments to monitor market activities, conduct inspections, and detect early signs of fraud. “We have a monitoring department. We also do onsite inspections. Once we hear anything, we do something,” he said. Agama reiterated the SEC’s commitment to investor protection and market development. “The capital market helps you to democratise wealth for everybody. The ISA 2025 thus represents a significant step forward in protecting Nigerian investors and fostering a resilient financial market,” he said. The PUNCH reported that the Securities and Exchange Commission has issued a fresh warning to Nigerians, declaring that all investment and digital asset platforms not registered with the Commission are operating illegally.

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News_Naija

APC Suspends Abia Secretary Over Violation Of Party Constitution

The All Progressive Congress, Ahiaukwu Ward 2, Umuahia South Local Government Area, Abia State, has suspended the state secretary of the party, Mr Chidi Avadja, for an alleged violation of their constitution. A statement signed by the Acting Ward Chairman, Nwabueze Ndumele, and Secretary Ifeanyichukwu John and made available to our correspondent on Monday stated that the decision was reached after the ward meeting last Saturday at Okaiuga Civic Hall, Okwu Olokoro. The statement also announced the suspension of another member of the party, identified as Onyekwere Sylvester, for alleged impersonation and set up a seven-man disciplinary committee to investigate the allegations against the two officials. They accused the APC state secretary of allegedly hijacking the party by single-handedly appointing an acting ward chairman after the death of the ward chairman in disregard of Congress-elected party officials. The statement said, “The party further resolved to suspend the state secretary, Chief Chidi Avajah, for violating Article 21, Section A, subsections ii, vi and vii of the constitution of our great party. “Furthermore, there is no evidence that Chief Chidi Avajah has paid a dime as monthly dues to the party. This is in violation of Article 9, Section 9.2, Subsection ii. “The party also suspended Onyekwere Chibuike Sylvester for alleged impersonation as Ahiaukwu Ward II chairman; this is in violation of Article 21, Section A, Subsection IV. “Consequently, the party resolved to set up a 7-man disciplinary committee to investigate the allegations against the two aforementioned, Chief Chidi Avajah and Sylvester Onyekwere. “They also resolved to work harder to strengthen the party in the ward with the aim of delivering all candidates on the platform of the party at the 2027 general election. “The party shall enthrone discipline and adhere strictly to the provisions of our revered party constitution.”

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Futbol

EFL Midweek Preview: Crunch Time

In the footballing world there are often accusations of the overuse of hyperbole but, if you'll excuse us, Tuesday night feels massive in the League Two promotion race. Seven teams are realistically chasing the three automatic places on offer - and the top four face off under the lights. In League One, it is looking more a case of when, rather than if, Birmingham City win the title but the fight for second place is turning into a real arm wrestle between Wrexham and Wycombe. Meanwhile, there will be much play-off manoeuvring and relegation scrapping to be played out up and down the country. Supporters of teams at a certain level of football can be a miserable bunch, take my word for it. While those at the top end of the game will bask in boasting about their team, those who follow a more humble club will always expect them to find a way of turning triumph into failure. So, let's all say hello to Walsall. Nine league wins in a row between December and mid-January had Mat Sadler's side 12 points clear at the top and the bookies perhaps ready to pay out. As we enter April, that gap is down to one point - and, perhaps more pertinently, only five ahead of fourth-placed Doncaster Rovers who they visit on Tuesday. But defiant Walsall boss Sadler told BBC Radio WM: "We know we're a good team - we're at the fun stage of the season and want to be fighting for exactly what we're fighting for." Fighting words, indeed. Doncaster ended a three-game winless run by beating Carlisle at the weekend and head coach Grant McCann still has lofty targets for the season. "Our focus and eyes are firmly on the title and I'm not worried what people may think because that's what we're trying to do," he said With Walsall wobbling, Bradford City and Port Vale are leading the pursuit of the leaders and meet at Vale Park on Tuesday night. When Walsall went 12 points clear in January, Port Vale were third and now the gap at the top is down to one Vale are, well, back up to third - consistency can be key. Bradford have stumbled themselves in recent weeks with their 10-game winning streak at home brought to a halt by struggling Tranmere after a defeat by Gillingham the previous week and they drew at Accrington at the weekend. "We've added to our tally and it might be a different game against Port Vale with them being in the top part of the table but we'll need to improve in the top third of the field if we want to go there and win," said Bradford boss Graham Alexander. Such is the nature of League Two you can make a case for any of the other three teams in the top seven circumnavigating the lottery of the play-offs. Three wins from their past 10 games has dampened AFC Wimbledon's top-three charge as they head to Swindon Town while Notts County take a three-match run without a home victory into their meeting with MK Dons. As if all that was not enough it is ninth against seventh at Gresty Road where last season's beaten play-off finalists, Crewe Alexandra, come up against a Grimsby Town side who have won more points on the road than at their Blundell Park home this season. While Birmingham City plan the open-top bus parade and pick out a spot on the mantelpiece for the League One trophy, the scrap for second place seems likely to go to the wire. When Matt Bloomfield departed Wycombe Wanderers for Luton's Championship relegation battle in January, the Chairboys' promotion challenge could have fallen by the wayside - following in the footsteps of a club legend is never easy. Step forward Mike Dodds who, in his first permanent role as a head coach has overseen 15 points from a possible 27 to stay in the race as they host rock-bottom Shrewsbury Town having squeezed past Lincoln at the weekend. "You can see the players are playing like they've got something to lose - my responsibility at this time is to be really calm and clear in what we're trying to achieve," Dodd told BBC Three Counties Radio. Wrexham hold a three-point advantage over Wycombe going into their trip to second-from-bottom Cambridge United although the Welshmen have played an extra game at this stage and cannot afford to slip up at the Abbey Stadium. "We can't take any team for granted. In this division, if you're not at 100% and you're not closing down, anyone can look a good player," said Wrexham midfielder Ollie Rathbone. Oh, by the way, Birmingham City are at Bristol Rovers. With all the dramas ongoing at Reading, don't be surprised if, in years to come, a doorstep salesman knocks on your door offering you a series of quality bound books detailing the full story which you can pay for in monthly instalments. But, whatever the outcome of the Royals' ownership tale, neither management nor players are using it as an excuse. Saturday's 3-1 victory over Peterborough lifted them into the top six while stretching their unbeaten run to 11 games as they make the long haul up to Blackpool who, with four wins from their past five, are also in the play-off shake up. "Blackpool are a good side with strong players who can hurt you - they have league winners in there who I played with so we've got to go up there and put our best foot forward," head coach Noel Hunt told BBC Radio Berkshire. Stockport and Charlton complete the top six with the Hatters entertaining Stevenage and the Addicks at Mansfield Town. Thirteen years ago, Wigan Athletic against Bolton Wanderers was a Premier League fixture but on Tuesday night it's mid-table League One hosting play-off hopeful. While Shrewsbury and Cambridge United can probably start looking at maps to League Two grounds next season, Crawley Town may have put the atlas away for a while. With Scott Lindsey back in town the king is back on his throne, starting with two wins to reignite hopes of a great escape as they meet Peterborough United. "Football has a habit of kicking you in the teeth so we have to stay grounded, measured and ready to go again," said Lindsey. Rotherham United sacked boss Steve Evans on Sunday following defeat by Crawley and will have Matt Hamshaw in charge for the trip to Northampton Town.